Seen here after being awarded the Zone 4, Region 2 Region Trophy last March are (from
left to right) Randolph College teammates Maddy Davis, Morgan Hoke (holding the trophy) and Eliza Gretok
(pointing). In 2016-17 Randolph captured their first region title since 1999 and host the Region 2 season
opener on September 23rd.
THE ROAD TO HARRISBURG AND 2018 IHSA NATIONALS BEGINS
The IHSA will kick off their 51st season with the first of
many official shows over the next eight months this Saturday,
with horse shows in at least five locations. Three other
locations start their seasons on Sunday.
Most of the shows are Western contests this weekend, and
the three most recent programs to win a Western National
Championship are each in action. Defending National Champion
St. Andrews University will host western each day. Berry
College, which shared a title with St. Andrews in '16 but won
outright in '15 will travel to Auburn University for a
doubleheader on Saturday. And 2014 champion Ohio State will
host a doubleheader on Sunday. Black Hawk College, which was
the Reserve National Champion Western Team last season, will
start their season at Missouri State (likely at that school's
Dar Agricultural Center, though we were waiting to confirm
that is the correct location - Editor).
By contrast none of the three known IHSA English shows
scheduled for this weekend feature a school that sent a full
hunter seat team to 2017 Nationals. Randolph College hosts
the Zone 4, Region 2 opener on Saturday. This region is
one of only two nationwide for hunter seat where five
different programs earned at least one region title since
2009. Virginia Commonwealth University will host the Zone 4,
Region 4 season opener to the east. Region 4 will have a new
look as Sweet Briar College has moved from Region 2 into this
region for 2017-18. Meanwhile on Sunday Kutztown University
will host the Zone 3, Region 4 opener. Region 4 has gained
Lebanon Valley College from Zone 3, Region 1.
While Sweet Briar and LVC will be adjusting to new regions
Campus Equestrian will be making some adjustments to our
site. The IHSA's official web site, IHSAinc, will start
listing the points for teams and individual riders. It is
not yet clear when points will appear on their site for
everyone to see but that day is near. Rather than be
redundant with the IHSA's site Campus Equestrian will likely
turn back the clock and provide more written stories like it
did from 2002 to 2012. Also the video element that was
scrapped when the site was shuttered 2012-13 may be
returning, but that won't happen right away (also audio
interviews may be on the horizon, and that too won't happen
just yet). In any event look for Campus Equestrian to
adapt and make adjustments to stay relevant in covering
the same things it has for essentially 15 years now.
Remember to pack the sun block, bring the phone charger, have all the paperwork ready if you are showing, stay hydrated,
pick up all your belongs before heading home and enjoy the shows!
---Steve Maxwell
Saturday,
September 23rd:
Zone 4,
Region 2 Randolph College/Washington & Lee University (Co-Hosts) at Randolph College Riding
Center, Lynchburg, VA 10:00AM ENGLISH ONLY
Zone 4,
Region 3 St. Andrews University (Host) at St. Andrews Equestrian
Center, Laurinburg, NC 12:00NOON WESTERN ONLY
Zone 4,
Region 4 Virginia Commonwealth University (Host) at Stillmeadows
Farm, Mechanicsvile, VA 10:00AM ENGLISH ONLY
Zone 5,
Region 2 Auburn University (Host) at the Auburn University Horse
Center, Auburn, AL 9:00AM 2 WESTERN ONLY
Zone 7,
Region 5 Missouri State University (Host) Site
and Time TBA WESTERN ONLY
Sunday,
September 24th:
Zone 3,
Region 4 Kutztown University (Host) at Valley Mist
Farm, Oley, PA 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY
Zone 4,
Region 3 St. Andrews University (Host) at St. Andrews Equestrian
Center, Laurinburg, NC Time TBA WESTERN ONLY
Zone 6,
Region 2 Ohio State University (Host) at Autumn Rose
Farm, Dublin, OH 9:00AM 2 WESTERN ONLY
Zone 7,
Region 1 Eastern Illinois University/University of Illinois (Co-Hosts) at Gordyville
USA, Gifford, IL 9:00AM WESTERN ONLY
Zone 7,
Region 5 Missouri State University (Host) Site
and Time TBA WESTERN ONLY
All times listed are local time. Show Schedule subject to change.
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